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Where will LBJ go next?

LeBron: The Decision
Part Deux

Now, there is talk that James is less-than-thrilled with certain aspects of the Heat organization. Sources in Miami say that while James still thoroughly enjoys playing alongside fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he doesn’t particularly care for the heavy-handed and disciplined style of team president Pat Riley.

James can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2013-14 season, and speculation is he will strongly consider it if Riley remains in his current role. And the team James would be eyeballing most in free agency, say those close to the situation, would be the Cavs.

Of course, James has never indicated as much, and if he does feel that way, he is wise enough to not say a word. Anyone who saw the secretive manner in which he kept the Cavs guessing already knows that.

But if these sneaking suspicions are true, if James really does hope to make another free agent splash and return to Cleveland someday, he would have a lot of things to consider. First and foremost, of course, would be whether or not fans would be willing to welcome him back after so much time away.

For one, we’re only a few weeks into Kyrie Irving’s pro career, and it’s pretty clear the Cavs are likely to someday be his team, if they aren't already.

The Cavs also learned from some of the mistakes they made with James, and really admire their current batch of high-character guys. They plan to fill the roster with more within the next year or two, and in the words of one front-office official, “build things the right way.” That way, the official noted, you have “a culture in place like in San Antonio or Oklahoma City,” where the team doesn’t need a superstar considered worthy of hosting "Saturday Night Live" to be successful.

So even if James may not truly be done with the Cavs, it is clear Cavs fans are done with him — at least for now, anyway. And it would be hard to let go of the grudge they hold, because it is massive.

As for today, James will have to hang his hat on playing against the franchise he spurned, chasing the title with the Heat he promised would be a result of it, and accepting that he left his days as everyone’s favorite superstar behind him in Cleveland.

Then, it seems, the guessing about LeBron James will likely start all over again.